As the regeneration of existing urban area is initiated by a combination of several factors, it should be naturally carried out at a moderate speed rather than being conducted rapidly according to a plan. Therefore, this raises the need for the urban ...
As the regeneration of existing urban area is initiated by a combination of several factors, it should be naturally carried out at a moderate speed rather than being conducted rapidly according to a plan. Therefore, this raises the need for the urban regeneration method that takes into account local context and effectively renews and revitalizes existing urban districts without changing the entire city excessively. This study aimed at presenting some suggestions for urban regeneration projects in Korea. For this, a theoretical framework was established by understanding the urban catalyst method as a strategic urban restoration method that induces the consistent revitalization of existing urban districts from the selection of a project, to practicing urban design in local context, and to aggressive planning and maintenance by municipal governments, and the features of the regeneration method of existing urban districts were generated through the analysis of the urban catalyst project by type.
In order to analyze the function and features of the urban catalyst method as a regeneration method of existing urban districts, the way the urban catalyst method was applied in urban design policies of Milwaukee in the United States was examined. In addition, on the basis of analysis frameworks produced by the urban catalyst theory, such as the two-dimensional development method, the method linking relevant programs, and the method to establishing district landscape, 13 urban catalyst projects of downtown districts of Milwaukee were selected, and then the characteristics of the projects by type were investigated.
Based on the analyst results above, the following features of the urban catalyst method were found, and then some suggestions were made.
First, the urban catalyst method primarily induces the development of a project which has high potential and high possibility of changing urban districts through the government's aggressive involvement or the collaboration with citizens by vigorously utilizing the features of existing urban districts with high economic potential. The implications of such project development cause neighboring districts to develop itself. Therefore, the urban catalyst came to revitalize the entire city.
Second, the urban catalysis method is important in the enforcement of urban design policies. Municipal governments have strategically included the urban catalysis project, part of the urban regeneration project,' into district plans to operate them together. This indicates that the government directly intervenes and manages the urban revitalization project which requires securing publicity.
Third, of 65 urban revitalization projects of Milwaukee, about 52 projects or 80% have been selected as urban catalyst projects, indicating that the urban catalyst projects account for a large portion of urban revitalization projects. Most of the selected projects are being operated to secure publicity. This indicates that the urban revitalization project needs to be recognized as the redevelopment project based on publicity and that the public development of urban districts should be expanded urgently.
Fourth, in order to successfully carry out its urban catalyst projects, Milwaukee goes through citizen-involvement procedures to select an urban catalyst project. As seen in the urban catalyst projects of Milwaukee in which about 1600 citizens participated in the selection of urban revitalization projects out of a sense of duty as the subjects of the city, there should be fundamental changes in citizens' perception.
Fifth, Milwaukee Department of City Development (DCD), the public institution of the municipal government, comprehensively manages urban catalyst projects. This indicates that DCD has built a system that intensively plans and controls urban catalyst projects with high publicity. In order to effectively manage the public development of urban districts and to supply technologies and funds, a government-citizen collaboration system can be strategically adjusted.
Sixth, Milwaukee also takes measures to revitalize districts where development has lagged due to its insufficient profits, though its publicity is high. Milwaukee performs the development and management of the project by organizing BID which is managed by citizens. In addition, it operates TIF which makes people to use tax increases as collateral to get funds from financial institutions in advance. In Korea where the government provides little financial support, people need to seek a strategic method to secure public support fund in this way.
Seventh, urban catalyst projects of Milwaukee is establishing urban design using differentiated planning techniques by type. This enables recognizing the features of each factor of design guideline differentiated by type. It is expected that these techniques can be applied to urban revitalization projects in Korea.
This study is meaningful in that it made some suggestions on the methods of revitalizing existing urban districts which allow for not only the utilization of the features of the existing urban districts with high economic potential but also the effective resolution of problems of existing urban districts. Before introducing urban catalyst method in Korea, a thorough examination on various cases needs to be carried out. In addition, the verification of its utilization and other examinations on its system should be performed in detail. Besides, research also should be made on the case, in which the urban catalyst project has a negative effect on the urban environment, to take into account systematic complementary measures for that.